Andreas V. Meyer

Andreas V. Meyer ("Chef Andre") of Bedford, NH, died on September 30, 2017 at Community Hospice House in Merrimack, NH. He was 77 years old. After successfully fighting multiple rounds of cancer for the past 27 years, Andre peacefully passed away of natural causes with family by his side. He was able to relay his love for his family, with that extraordinary Swiss accent adored by all, until the very end. Born and raised near Bern, Switzerland, he was an accomplished chef and restauranteur. He came to the United States in 1964 to work at the Swiss Pavilion at the World's Fair in New York City where he met his wife, Maria Therese Durrer (Maria), also from Switzerland. After the World's Fair they moved to Waterville Valley, NH, where they operated Fourways Restaurant and the White Mountain Conference Center. After relocating to southern New Hampshire, they owned and operated the Café Swiss Restaurant in Merrimack and the Greenhouse Café in Amherst until 2003. Andre is predeceased by Maria who passed away on August 21, 2016. He is survived by his son Andreas Jr. of Francestown, his wife Katherine and their daughter Campbell Elaine Meyer, his son Eric and wife Jennifer of Windham and their daughter Vivian. Both Campbell and Vivian brought Andre incredible joy and he was an amazing and loving "Grossvatti" to both of them. Andre is also survived by his very dear sister-in-law and her husband, Helene and Michael Paquin of Framingham, MA, as well as one brother and two sisters in Switzerland and many nephews, nieces and cousins in both Switzerland and the United States. He is also predeceased by two brothers. As an exceptional chef and caterer, Andre was responsible for arranging some remarkable events including a Memorial Dinner honoring Robert Kennedy at the home of Ethel Kennedy in Hickory Hill, Virginia; a 700-guest birthday dinner for Bob Hope at Boston College and major fundraising events for past Presidents Bill Clinton and Georg H. Bush. Andre was beloved and extremely popular with customers, his staff and friends. He brought a positive attitude, a whistle and a smile to his work and inspired many of his younger staff to great successes in the restaurant profession. He loved traveling, especially to Switzerland to visit family and friends and hunting with his sons and companions. Most of all, he loved social gatherings with friends and family and until fairly recently continued to prepare wonderful meals for their pleasure and enjoyment. He was a member of several professional associations including La Chaine des Rotisseurs, Les Amis d'Escoffier Society, the American and New Hampshire Culinary Federations and the Souhegan Valley Associates. In lieu of flowers, donations in Andre's memory may be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston or the Community Hospice House, 210 Naticook Road, Merrimack, NH 03054. SERVICES: A gathering will take place this Thursday October 5th, from 4:00-8:00pm at the Cremation Society of New Hampshire, 243 Hanover Street, Manchester, NH 03104, where relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects. A private burial will be held at a later date in Waterville Valley. The Meyer family would like to publicly express their thanks to the medical community and friends who have supported both Andre and Maria over the past several years.